An operator of a Phoenix adult care home was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the abuse and death of a person in his care.

Valer Catuna, an owner of a Phoenix-based Artemis Adult Care Home, was sentenced in the death of William Griswold, a 53-year-old patient diagnosed with numerous health and mental problems, including traumatic brain injury, which was a result of his being struck by a car in 2017, according to the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Griswold was a patient at the Artemis Adult Care Home from Dec. 4, 2019, until he was killed on Oct. 21, 2020. 

Catuna, a part owner of the home, had a dispute with Griswold over Griswold's request for a cigarette. The matter escalated, with Catuna eventually pinning Griswold down on his bed and then punching him on the side of his torso, breaking seven ribs and rupturing his spleen, the Arizona Attorney General's Office said in a news release.

Catuna's attack caused internal bleeding. Catuna failed to call emergency medical services for Griswold for nine hours. Griswold died from his injuries on the evening of Oct. 21, 2020, the Arizona Attorney General's Office said.

"The details of this case are unconscionable. Mr. Griswold deserved better, as all vulnerable adults do," said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. "My office will not tolerate fraud and abuse perpetuated against our state's elderly and vulnerable residents – and those committing these crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Catuna had been charged with crimes of second-degree murder and vulnerable adult abuse. He pleaded guilty on May 30 to manslaughter and was sentenced to an aggravated prison term, the maximum allowed for the offense, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Detectives from the Phoenix Police Department's Homicide Bureau and special agents from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Section of the Arizona Attorney General's Office investigated this case. Assistant Attorney General Brett Harames prosecuted the case.

Last month, Mayes announced the formation of a new Elder Affairs Unit in the Arizona Attorney General's Office to better coordinate and strengthen efforts to combat fraud and abuse against Arizona's vulnerable adults.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is committed to protecting seniors and vulnerable adults from abuse of any kind, including physical abuse and neglect.

To report an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency physical abuse contact Adult Protective Services at 1-877-SOS-ADULT (1-877-767-2385). For information, visit: https://www.azag.gov/seniors/senior-abuse.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know has been the victim of fraud can file a consumer complaint by visiting http://www.azag.gov/consumer. A complaint form can also be sent to anyone who requests one by contacting the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at 602-542-5763, in Tucson at 520-628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 800-352-8431.